It's the New Year, so now what?

The New Year is sure to be full of new challenges and opportunities.  I always have to laugh when I hear friends say that their New Year's resolution is "not to make any New Year's resolutions."   Setting goals is easy, accomplishing those goals can be another matter.  A couple of key things to remember.

Make your goals realistic and obtainable.   Sometimes it is better to set  a series of short term goals in order to accomplish your long term goals.  Losing weight is a great example, if your goal is to reduce your weight by 25 pounds, that's not likely to happen in a week, but losing 2 to 3 pounds a week is a bit more realistic.  So adjust your goal a little by allowing yourself to lose that weight in 2 months instead.  It's always important to have a starting point and way to measure your progress, keep a journal.  A little research and planning is usually a great idea.

Get a support system.  Don't be afraid to let people know about your goals.  Friends and family are almost always there to remind that  when you're getting a little off track, in fact, many jump at the opportunity. Write reminders to yourself in your planner or post sticky notes where you're sure to see them!

If at first you don't succeed, TRY AGAIN.   This goes back to point number one.  Make your goals realistic and obtainable.  Reevaluate what went wrong, then fix it.  

Most important of all, DO IT.  Don't procrastinate.   Don't put off until tomorrow what you should have been doing today because life gets in the way.  Remember, some goals require a series of baby steps to achieve the ultimate results with a bit of mental and physical preparation.  The sooner you start, the closer you will be to  achieving your goals!  

Most Popular Resolutions?

Losing weight or getting back "in shape."  Probably the most popular resolution of all and the one most people give up on first.  Many times this is a result of poor planning and unrealistic goals.  Most experts agree that while watching what and when we eat is vitally important, it is also  important to get some exercise daily to keep your body burning off those calories and toning up your muscles.  A little research is always good here and definitely consult your doctor about which approach might best for you.

Saving money.  This is another big resolution that can sometimes be a bit of challenge because there are so many people willing to help us spend.  You might want to start by reviewing all of your monthly expenses to see what you might be able to cut back on.  Do you need 999 cable channels or text messaging?  Is your car over-insured?  Do you still use your land line telephone?  Can you reduce credit card or loan interest by transferring balances?   Is the electric bill out of control?  I'm sure that you if take a hard look at your fixed monthly expenses you can find ways to reduce them and save.

Then there are the daily "pick pockets."  Like coffee on your morning commute?  Pick up a good travel mug and your favorite flavored creamer from the super market and make your coffee at home.  You can save on average $5 to 25 dollars a week with this tip. Brown bag your lunch a few days a week, this can save you $5 to 10 bucks a day!  Still paying $2.50 a shirt at the dry cleaners?  Shop around.

Clip those coupons.  Hey 50 cents here and there adds up.  Avoid the temptation to buy because its on sale though, if you don't use it or don't need, leave it on the shelf.   Compare generics versus major brand labels ( a little research here is in order.)   I like to get my meat and fresh vegetables from my local grocery store, they just seem fresher to me, but many canned goods, frozen foods, cleaning supplies, soaps, deodorants and paper products I get from that big discount store, on average I save between $80 and $100 a month that way. 

Its a good idea to consult your accountant or tax adviser for other money saving or investment opportunities as well.

Paying attention to how and when you spend your hard earned money might seem a bit inconvenient at first,  but it all adds up, and only makes "cents," and cents turn into dollars fast!

 Spending quality time with friends and loved ones.  Here is a big one but should be very easy to accomplish.  It does involve some planning, thought, determination and time management though.

Plan that dinner, game night or family outing, or other activity then stick to the plan.  Reminders to yourself or anticipated attendees is always a good idea.

You can always find time to pick up a phone, sit down with a cup of your favorite beverage to chat or send a hand written note to brighten someone's day. 

Watch those time thieves.  In today's world its easy to get distracted with those 999 cable channels, that on-line social network or spend hours with the game controller in your hand.   JUST TURN THEM OFF or set limits on how long they can be used. You will be amazed at how much quality time you can find to spend with those you love.   

Minimize those distractions.   The people you are with at that moment should be the focus of your attention.   There are few things more insulting to friends or loved ones than to interrupt an intimate dinner, conversation or an outing than to stop and respond to a ping, poke or miscellaneous email or text message or take a non-emergency call.  Keep in mind, the people that you are with MADE themselves available to spend quality time with you too and deserve your attention.

It's a busy world these days, but you can MAKE the time to spend with friends an loved ones and you can MAKE those quality experiences. And always remember, it's the little things that can mean a lot.